John F. Martin

1904 - 1965  (61 years)

• Name	John F. Martin
  Born	1904	Warwickshire Co., England   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Interesting	art, story
  Misfortune	1965
  	killed in car accident
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-340647
  Died	6 Nov 1965	Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  Buried	10 Nov 1965	Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  Person ID	I340647	Generations
  Last Modified	25 Apr 2024

  
  

  Family	Agnes McGowan Bauchop,   b. , Scotland ,   d. 9 May 1991, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Last Modified	26 Apr 2024
  Family ID	F248546	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Outstanding Canadian Artist Killed In Ayr Auto Crash Ayr residents were shocked on Saturday night by a traffic accident here which claimed the life of one of Canada's most prominent artists, John F. Martin, 61 years. The fatality occurred about 11:30 pm at the dead end Junction of Scott and Main Sts. Mr. Martin with his wife, was driving west on Scott St. into Ayr. At the junction his small car was struck on the left front door by a vehicle driven by Aldon Benson of Galt, which was proceeding north on Main St. through the junction. The impact hurled the Martin car into a vehicle operated by Gordon W. Smye, RR 1, Ayr, which was halted at the stop sign on Main St. at the north side of the junction. Although medical aid was summoned immediately, Mr. Martin was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. His wife was taken to K-W Hospital, suffering from a hip fracture, broken ribs and shock. Her condition is described as fair. Mr. Benson was treated for minor lacerations. The Martin car, a Renault, and the Benson vehicle were damaged to the extent of $2,200. Damage to the Smye car, which was barely involved in the crash, was negligible. The late Mr. Martin, who was in the top echelon of Canadian artists, came to Ayr 12 years ago after giving up the post of director of the design department of the Ontario College of Art, Toronto. Despite his brilliance as an artist and designer, his talent as a teacher of art and a truly remarkable intellect. Mr. Martin chose to live unpretentiously in Ayr rather than in the larger centres which continually extended overtures. To his ?est studio on Swan St., came many persons of considerable influence and position in all walks of life who were anxious to receive instruction in the fine arts. Mr. Martin was always willing to share his knowledge, for he had stressed on many occasions the importance of teaching in the development of Canadian artists. As a result his services were continually in demand at highly regarded educational institutions. However, Mr. Martin's attachment to Ayr was so strong that he refused to accept appointments which would take him away for any length of time. In 1963 he yielded to a request to teach at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, and after completing a term he returned to Ayr with a sense of real homecoming. Mr. Martin's scope of knowledge was not confined to canvas or sketching pad. He was a student of area history and early architecture in Ontario. He had accumulated a massive amount of knowledge in this field, some of which was published in booklets he compiled for financial firms, and much of which he learned and retained for his personal satisfaction. His consuming interest in history took some rather unusual turns. Mr. Martin was a student of American Civil War history and could discuss its every phase and battle. He had walked every inch of the important battle fields and sketched much of the landscape. Because of his knowledge of early Ontario architecture, he had addressed many meetings on the subject and some years ago collaborated on a series of illustrated articles on this subject. It was the appearance of some of the aged buildings in the Ayr business section which first attracted Mr. Martin to this village, for he could perceive something fine and dignified in their construction which many of us failed to detect. In fact, he was always apprehensive whenever structural changes were contemplated lest they detract from the original architecture. He had often commented that "changing something just for the sake of change" was no reason at all. Although mementoes of Mr. Martin's residence in Ayr are not meny, he did design the cover for the booklet "Ayr, the Village Beautiful," distributed by the Ayr Boosters' Association some time ago. He also painted a number of excellent landscapes in this area. His paintings are included in most of the important collections in Canada. It was ironic that Mr. Martin was this week to have received the sought after honor of becoming a member of the Royal Canadian Academy, of which he had been an associate for some years. Mr. Martin was born in Warwickshire, England, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Harry D. Martin. He studied art at Nottingham and Slade Schools of Art prior to coming to Canada at 20 years of age. Following employment with several engraving and textile firms he was appointed to the staff of the Ontario College of Art, and in 1946 became director of basic training. He was a member of the Ontario Society of Art, Society of Canadian Painters and Etchers, Society of Canadian Painters in Water Colors, Canadian Group of Painters, Nova Scotia Society of Artists, fellow of the International Institute of Arts and Letters. Art Director He was art director of Ridley College, St. Catharines, from 1954-62; art instructor of Dalhousie University, Halifax, 1963-64; art instructor Don School of fine Arts, 1950-65; and art instructor Upper Canada Academy, 1965. Mr. Martin had conducted art classes for adults and children at the following: Richmond Hill, Galt, Stratford, Tillsonburg, St. Catharines, Dundas, Fort William, Timmins, Sudbury and Kirkland Lake. In 1961, Mr. Martin was awarded a Canada Council grant to study in Britain, child and adult education in art, stained glass and county histories and guides. Military Ski Instructor Deceased was connected with the Banff School of Art in 1949 and conducted the first military ski school in Canada at Camp Borden in 1941-42. He illustrated two manuals on skiing and was a member of ski clubs and associations in Canada and Great Britain. Wrote Guides Mr. Martin illustrated Geology and Man for the Royal Ontario Museum. He also wrote, illustrated and published two county guides, "Guide to Waterloo County," awarded the top historical recognition in Canada and the United States, and "Paths of History in Perth and Huron." Surviving are his wife, the former Agnes Bauchop; a daughter, Mrs. David (Ann) Mitchell of Toronto; a brother, Harry of Toronto; two sisters, Mrs. Walter Verney (Marie) and Miss Kathleen of Ayr and a granddaughter. Funeral service was held today (Wednesday) from the W. O. Ball Funeral Home, with interment in Ayr Cemetery. The Ayr News Nov 11 1965 pg 1

  
  

• Sources

  [S367] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - Ayr Public CC#4489 Internet Link . [Artist's palette]/ John Martin R.C.A./ 1904-1965/ Beloved husband of/ Agnes M. Bauchop [Flat marker]

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 1904 - Warwickshire Co., England Died - 6 Nov 1965 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - 10 Nov 1965 - Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth